THEATRE GOSSIP #447: You Oughta Know The Wells Fargo Wagon Is A-Bringing a Big Supply of PCR Tests Edition

🤡🌎

Not bad, OP.

Thanks r2. It's only my 2nd or 3rd ever. And the last thread popped my Bajour cherry, too. However I have no idea what the emoji at r1 signify.

Meanwhile, how happy are the [italic]Diana[/italic] folks to have gotten outta Dodge right now?

For several reasons, I'm sure.

Someone was typing about Howard McGillin being ill. Were the confusing him with Boyd Gaines, another leading man who survived Patty Lapone?

*Were they

[quote] Patty Lapone

Oh dear oh dear oh dear oh dear oh dear

[Quote] Oh dear oh dear oh dear oh dear oh dear

Ibegtadiffyabilly

Re: A STRANGE LOOP and the bottoming Broadway (which actually is a pun with this show apparently, Cole Porter knew and had the wits to not musicalize such events as his being pursued by the ambitious Jack Cassidy in dishabille, something up there among rather notorious Broadway lore, but not something Cole ever wanted to see presented in front of an opening night full house.

January is rough for Broadway in a normal year; this year it will be a bloodbath.

R9, you shouldn't have bothered.

I believe Cole was the pursuer, no?

"Nobody's chasing me!"

I liked A Strange Loop.

Thank you OP for putting a link in the last thread.

A Strange Loop will be this season's Slave Play: Conversation from theater people, and no interest from the public. The Times will go nuts for it. No one will go. Haven't producers learned that people don't like to pay to see simulated anal sex on Broadway. Was the dildo scene in Slave Play unclear?

Love the title OP! No idea why the rest of it was crossed out but whatever.

FOLLIES!

Yes, the dildo was very unclear.

I have an obscure question that maybe one of you will know the answer to.

Did Jayne Paterson ever go on as Desiree in the 09 revival of A Little Night Music? She was the understudy for a time, but not sure if she ever went on.

Jayne went on. Betsy went on. CZJ was out so much they added a third Desiree understudy. I don’t think Bernadette ever missed.

Clown world

They are saying on ATC that it will announced tomorrow that ALL Broadway shows will close this week. That really would be the wisest decision for now.

But I'm wondering about of-Broadway....have tix for Assassins on Wednesday.....will they play?

Any first preview reports from The Music Man (or was it cancelled, too?)

Interesting, R23. This article was just in my email inbox tonight, so if they come out tomorrow and say the opposite, that will be some reversal:

Omicron, Omicron Never before has Broadway wanted more...

I thought Alex Sharp would've had a bigger career following Curious Incident. I thought he was fantastic in the Broadway production.

Each Tuesday at lunchtime, casts of the shows that are still open should meet on the TKS steps to sing “I’m Still Here” to alert the public as to which shows are still going on for the week.

Alex Sharp is a very limited actor and cannot play American to save his life. He has given some wonderful performances, but he's equally given some ghastly ones. He's also a bit up his own ass.

[quote]Yes, the dildo was very unclear.

A clear dildo can reveal a multitude of sins.

I’m positively dewy in my anticipation of this role… finally, a new musical written exclusively for me.

[quote]Who threw up on whom at Company?

Claybourne Elder was the one thrown up on.

[quote]Were the Jagged producers praying for a breakthrough?

I bet the cast are happy that they can pin the blame on Omicron, rather than accept it themselves

Poor Malcolm Gets. Very sad.

I hope Maria gets fucked by Tony's ghost in the sequel.

R31 Well, bitches fingerprints are all over the gun, so her ass is in jail for killing a white boy

[quote] I hope Maria gets fucked by Tony's ghost in the sequel

Ghost Tony? I’m available to direct AND choreograph!

Hung guys always end up finding each other.

Music Man was fabulous. The Marcellus was an odd casting choice. Santo’s work is amazing. Hugh is out of this world.

what about Malcolm Gets?

Maria The Musical will basically be a rehash of Chicago. It will be as popular as Tales of the City The Musical.

Judy Kaye *is* Madre Morton

Malcolm is not well.

So who’s writing the music for this WSS sequel?

And will all those songs be as melodic and memorable as Bernstein’s?

Dare I ask?

[quote] So who’s writing the music for this WSS sequel?

Do you need to ask?

[quote] what about Malcolm Gets?

What about Malcolm Jamal Warner?

Well, the kids at the Broadwayworld chat room are all over Santo's designs for Music Man and say it's ugly and cheap and looks too much like his designs for Hello Dolly.

They are complaining about the set??!? I would complain about the unfunny Marcellus.

ALW shutdown Cinderella until February. It will reopen sooner if things improve Covid-wise. Hopefully they'll do some work on the show as long as they're shutting down.

Fat chance.

Marcellus in THE MUSIC MAN is played by Shuler Hensley, who has been great in several past shows. I would be very surprised if his performance as Marcellus is lacking, but maybe he's not well suited to that specific style of comedy?

[quote]Maria The Musical will basically be a rehash of Chicago. It will be as popular as Tales of the City The Musical.

Musical sequels never work. Musicals aren't movies, even if they're often adapted into movies.

Maybe if they made Godfather Part II into a musical -- since there isn't a Part one musical already, so it might have a chance.

I've worked with Schuler. Sweet guy, but a very slow burn. He'll get there. He definitely has a process.

Since when are Midwest librarians hoofers?

Since traveling musical instrument salesmen became singers, Rose.

I can understand maybe Marcellus going from tenor to baritone, but from tenor to bass? That's a big change.

R53 Reminds me a bit of Helen Gallagher and Bobby Van's "You Can Dance with Any Girl at All" from "No, No, Nanette", which was actually pretty thrilling. This looks very nice though. Any reports of where Hugh is doing some tap, as advance reports had mentioned?

At 2:55 of that great clip, they even use orchestrations that are very similar to the type used at certain points in the "Music Man"!

Thanks, R52. But P.S. he spells it Shuler.

Wouldn't it be nice if a billionaire came in and allowed companies/theater rents to be paid while taking a quick break until this outbreak fades away?

can anyone tell me more about Malcom Gets? He's a really sweet guy and I hate to think that there is something really wrong.

It's basicall a DL trope at this poing. "Malcom/Boyd is not well."

*at this point

We'll find out eventually.

Does Harold Hill ever wear a suit coat in this revival?

I heard there are scattered seats available for Music Man so I looked and there are. However they really truly are $600 and $700 dollars. $300 for mid mezzanine. They're just bang-beat, bell-ringing big-haul, great-go, neck-or-nothing, rip-roarin', every-time-a-bull's-eye salesmen, and I hope they rot in hell. That's truly criminal.

It's not criminal. It's called supply/demand. This thought that all theatre should cost the same is ridiculous.

[quote] It's called supply/demand.

It's called price gouging.

Marion Paroo haas always danced. It’s in the “Shipoopi” number when the kids ask “Professor” Hill to show them the latest steps, and he asks Marion to join him. Even though it incorporates one famous step from the original, this dance linked seems to be a lot more showy try Han usual with Marion. The tap steps that Hugh and sutFo were shown rehearsing earlier aren’t in this clip.

[quote]try Han

Give me a couple of pics and I'll consider it.

Producers will charge what the market will bear. It's as simple and rudimentary as that. And as Broadway productions for the most part are commercial endeavours, producers would be negligent if they did not to attempt to maximise the return on their investment. So good luck to the producers of The Music Man, I guess.

But I won't be seeing it. Frankly, I don't think any performance is worth $300. I can get two years of Netflix for the same price as three hours of a Meredith Willson musical, and I won't have to go outside in a pandemic to make use of it. But enough people clearly think otherwise, so I doubt any TMM producers will give a fuck for what I think.

It's also killing the business. People think that's what Broadway tickets cost.

And it's not encouraging or courting a young audience. These kids will have no interest in or curiosity about theatre by the time they grow up and can afford to spend $300-700 on tickets.

Who will be the Donna Murphy of MM--ie, what demi-star will take over when Hugh needs to take a rest?

So, Radio City didn't require the wearing of masks? Then fuck 'em. They deserve to have had to shut down. "Fully-vaccinated don't have to wear a mask." So, the fact that the vaccinated can still get and pass on the virus doesn't matter, especially with Omicron? After the show begins and the anti-vaxxers all take off their masks, how is anyone supposed to know who is a spreader? Hope they lose a lot of money.

Norm Lewis IS Tuesday night Harold Hill!

Well R61, Boyd Gaines IS unwell. I've written this before, but I saw him in "The Age of Innocence" at the McCarter back in 2018 (I think it was 2018). One of this hands was shaking uncontrollably for the entire show. Not only was it distracting, but I was genuinely worried for him. I have no idea what exactly is the problem, but something is very wrong here. I wish him well- he was excellent in the production.

[quote]Marion Paroo haas always danced. It’s in the “Shipoopi” number when the kids ask “Professor” Hill to show them the latest steps, and he asks Marion to join him. Even though it incorporates one famous step from the original, this dance linked seems to be a lot more showy try Han usual with Marion.

In both the old and new versions, Harold and Marion are doing variations on The Castle Walk, one of the most popular dances of the early 20th century, created by legendary husband and wife team Vernon and Irene Castle.

Ah yes, Vernon and Irene...

Blithe Spirit

Margaret Rutherford is sublime!

Better to see the Criterion print, r79, because it’s a stunningly restored technicolor print. Two tv versions are on YouTube, one with Lauren Bacall, Claudette Colbert and Coward, and the other with Rosemary Harris and Rachel Roberts and severely miscast Ruth Gordon.

The technicolor in BLITHE SPIRIT is out of this world! Very fun film.

The Public updates its policy:

THIS DAY IN BROADWAY HISTORY: In 1966, "The Star-Spangled Girl" opened at the Plymouth Theatre.

My favorite review of Star Spangled Girl: NEIL SIMON DIDN’T HAVE AN IDEA FOR A PLAY THIS SEASON BUT HE WROTE ONE ANYWAY.

Connie brought the pizzazz!

Marcellus isn't exactly a major character in the show...if your Marcellus is killing your show, you have more problems than that.

Marian shouldn't dance TOO much....she's not really supposed to have big "look at me dance!" moments. She's there to sing pretty sings and provide a romantic interest for the guy in the show's title.

I think The Music Man is one of the great American musicals but I would never pay hundreds of dollars to see ANYONE star in it.

Not even the version with Hugh Jackman naked and getting cornholed by Tommy DJilas.

I don't see Broadway avoiding a shutdown. How can it? They're marching on knowing full well the day is coming and who cares if folks get sick in the meantime.

I love theatre, but this clearly ain't the time.

I think Lopez/Whitty (and Marx if they're up for it) could make a terrific AVENUE Q sequel. We know all the characters and it plays like an episode of Sesame Street so why not a new episode? I would go.

They could use one of the songs they cut about jury duty, "Tear it Up and Throw it Away."

R84, I saw the national tour production in Boston starring George Hamilton, Deana Martin and Jimmy Boyd.

Here...

R73, Craig Bierko

Sally Ann Howes has died at 91.

[quote]the version with Hugh Jackman naked and getting cornholed by Tommy DJilas

Pics please.

R79, in 2022 Sydney is getting Blithe Spirit with drag queen Courtney Act as Elvira. The rest of the production is cast conventionally: it's the Sydney Theatre Company.

[quote] Marian shouldn't dance TOO much....she's not really supposed to have big "look at me dance!" moments.

This show will not be getting my money, but I disagree. Marian has considered more progressive and "brazen" by the rest of the town. That jibes completely with an execution of the show where she's into dancing, and perhaps even learned how to dance, and cut the rug often with Old Miser Madison. Dancing is very much a metaphor for you-know-what.

[quote]So who’s writing the music for this WSS sequel?

These two are writing it. For all the talk of reclaiming stories they've picked a husband and wife writing team, one of whom was born in New York, though her parents were from Puerto Rico, and one of whom is black, but explains he can write this and it not come off as cultural appropriation because he spoke Spanish when he was growing up.

That said, the lawyers have clearly been in touch:

[quote]Following the earlier report that the Connecticut company had commissioned a new musical named Maria to continue the story of the beloved Broadway musical, the theater is now changing its tune. “It is important to distinguish that this is not a sequel to West Side Story or a derivative work but has its own genesis rooted in Mildred’s own family experience and deep connection to Puerto Rico,” insisted Long Wharf Theatre in a statement with the writers, Steven Sapp and Mildred Ruiz-Sapp of the theatre group Universes.

Shame this video shows them directly saying that the story is about Maria after WSS, as an old woman during Hurricane Maria

I'm up for a sequel but it should be called ANITA! and it should star me.

I hope Baby John and Chino end up together

How about the story of Gladhands winding up with Anybodys?

This is what I call fighting for your show:

R88, I think Harvey Fierstein might disagree with you:

Hugh Jackman received almost a minute of entrance applause at Monday night's first preview of "The Music Man":

THIS DAY IN BROADWAY HISTORY: In 1976, "Your Arms Too Short to Box With God" opened at the Lyceum Theatre.

Hugh Jackman shared a clip from Music Man. Wow I can't think of anything more regressive or anything I'd like to see less right now that this show!

Finally, finally, Sutton gets a role to match her pejorative nickname: The Dancing Librarian.

R104, Is that going to happen at every performance?

God, I hope so.

When the Shuberts price-gouged the public by charging an unheard-of $50 a ticket for Cats at the Winter Garden in 1982, everybody pissed and moaned but paid it anyway. Now, at the same theatre, producers are charging $300 and up for the same seats to another musical suckers are more than happy to refinance the cat to see, and tickets bought from legitimate sources are up to $600-$2250 a pop. Based on the rate of inflation from 1982, those tickets should be going for $145.

So. Are theatre-goers being ripped off and price-gouged at the box office to see a Marvel superhero play Harold Hill?

YOU BET YOUR ASS THEY ARE. Harold Hill is an amateur compared to David Geffen.

Usually Marian do dance that number, as well as in "Marian the Librarian". It's the possibility of a tap specialty for her and Harold Hill that sounds puzzling, if not quite disturbing.

that is, "Usually Marians do dance"

There will be a Capitol-style insurrection outside the Winter Garden when the performance is suddenly cancelled 8 minutes into the show. Because when it concerns Covid, TMM is no different than Come From Away, no matter what they're charging.

So have already engraved the leading actor in a musical Tony for Hugh? Because we all know that award is preordained anytime he steps on a Broadway stage.

Well, they ain't giving it to Tony Yazbeck, Rosie.

R115, Fuck that snitch!

All the hate for The Music Man's success is hilarious. No one cares if you WON'T pay those prices. Plenty will. You really have no understanding of what an event is. For millions, the ability to spend two hours with Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster in a show they love is a once in a lifetime event, so they will pay more for that glorious moment. And having seen the dress rehearsal, its well on its way to glorious.

Let's not pretend Sutton Foster is a contributor to people's willingness to pay those prices.

R117- Yes, and afterwards, lilacs will spring from their buttholes.

Charlotte St Martin is getting attacked on Twitter for her artless comments about understudies and swings:

[quote]Asked about shows' varying cancellation strategies—some productions have canceled single performances, while others are currently dark through Christmas weekend—St. Martin pointed to differing logistical situations each production faces when breakthrough cases and exposures happen. "My educated guess is the newer shows maybe have understudies that aren’t as efficient in delivering the role as the lead is. Some of the older shows have more experienced understudies and more experienced swings. I know one show last week where the lead was out, the understudy was on vacation, the swings were covering other parts, and they just didn’t have enough people to stand in."

First of all, the idea of CSM thinking any of her guesses are educated is hilarious. Second of all, "efficient in delivering the role"? What does that even mean? Thirdly, how the fuck did she get, and how does she keep, that job?

R106 Peter Griffin was better

Well, Hal Prince feared that Ethel Barrymore Colt wouldn't be efficient in delivering the role of Sally Durant Plummer.

[quote] You really have no understanding of what an event is.

What an obnoxious way to express yourself. We're not saying it's not an event. We understand, thanks.

We're saying Broadway history is rich (literally) with [italic]events[/italic] that were sold-out blockbusters without price-gouging, and it's largely responsible for the long-term elitist decline of Broadway. Sure, there were brokers and scalpers, but accessible tickets weren't out of the question.

Other than the super rich or super avid audiences who just don't give a shit, I'm sure the widest swath of theatergoers sees fewer shows per year than they used to, so the gulf widens between hits and flops, and shows run too long, and therefore the street stagnates. You really have no understanding of how Broadway works.

[quote]Yes, and afterwards, lilacs will spring from their buttholes.

Pics please.

When *isn't* he, r121?

Candace Bushnell Solo Show Closes Off Broadway With Star’s Covid Diagnosis:

[quote] We know all the characters and it plays like an episode of Sesame Street so why not a new episode? I

What a revolting idea. Talk about a musical that hasn’t aged well.

I watched curtain call clips from both the invited dress and first preview of TMM and dare I say Sutton got a huge response which dipped for Hugh. Yes, I notice these things. If Hugh calls out the show will go on as long as Sutton is there and, yes, she’s as big of a draw as Hugh.

I don't think going by the invited dress and first preview is an indicator of her having equal drawing power, r128. Not that she doesn't have drawing power, but she's hardly a movie star.

It’s not a movie, it’s a broadway stage in front of a theatre loving audience and she’s a star on broadway. Maybe when the audience is filled with Wolverine fans Hugh will get the bigger response.

My point exactly, r130.

Apparently no one on the board is aware that Sutton has performed in six major Broadway musicals, has won 2 Tonys, and had a tv series that ran 7 seasons.

They better rotoscope or pro-go or whatever it’s called TMM now while they have a chance, so they can sell it to the highest streaming bidder to be shown in the great lockdown df 2022.

[quote]It’s not a movie, it’s a broadway stage in front of a theatre loving audience and she’s a star on broadway.

I agree. Stars are A-list depending on the medium you're talking about. Sutton may not be an A-list film or TV star but she is A-list on the Broadway stage. (Same with Patti LuPone or Nathan Lane.) So I don't think it's a stretch that she would get applause in a Broadway theater that's equal to that of the movie star she's working with.

Who is this gorgeous man playing Fiyero? He has to be the hottest guy on Broadway.

His amazing ass at the 0:55 mark deserves a special Tony.

Isn't that Sam Gravitte?

R135, that's Sam Gravitte -- son of Debbie Shapiro Gravitte and Beau Gravitte. He is, indeed, stunningly gorgeous.

No surprise because his father, Beau, was a cutie back in the day:

Is Broadway Doing Enough To Fight Omicron? Deadline Asks The Experts:

And here’s how Sam got that hot ass.

Sad that, as I get older, Bway seems to inch farther and farther away as prices go up astronomically and we get loads of movie to stage transfers and jukebox musicals.

Not sure what the point is anymore

It’s not ALL bad, R141. I still take heart in some shows. Musicals like The Band’s Visit, Hadestown and The Great Comet. And plays like The Sound Inside, Inheritance and A Doll’s House Part 2. All but Hadestown were on TDF.

I’d much rather the creators get the money from the inflated ticket price, than a bunch of scalpers who don’t add anything to theater.

It’s not like tickets would be available anyway. They’d be just as expensive and be controlled by and profiting grifters.

[quote]than a bunch of scalpers who don’t add anything to theater

I think they prefer to be called producers

WHET Beau Gravitte's career?

Can’t do a one woman show without the one woman!

[quote] I’d much rather the creators get the money from the inflated ticket price, than a bunch of scalpers who don’t add anything to theater. It’s not like tickets would be available anyway. They’d be just as expensive and be controlled by and profiting grifters.

You're forgetting that the secondary market still exists, and now the scalpers are more authorized and able to mark up the insane "list" prices. Unless the demand isn't as high as the producers/theater owners expected and those sellers find themselves selling for less. Which looks like it may be happening with TMM, probably due to Covid

I can do the Sex and the City play if they'd like.

wow r135 that ass though. The Fiyero pants are always flattering but that's amazing. And still really masculine as big asses aren't often.

Sam Gravitte played a few small roles in the musical version of Almost Famous and he had a scene where he was in an open shirt. He was sex on a stick. (And one of the only good things about that POS show.)

wow he is handsome too

from r139's article:

[quote] I‘ve been hearing, anecdotally, about a show that opened recently and had an opening night party with the cast and various invited guests. Everyone was double vaxxed, but it didn’t appear that anyone was wearing masks, and I’m hearing anecdotally that the party was something of a super-spreader.

Well, helllloooooo.

Sam Gravitte is also openly gay. He has a twin sister.

The myth about the Doubtfire party is ridiculous. To attend the party, you had to have a Covid test that day, along with the vaccination requirement. I know many people who were there and no one got sick. When is AEA going to ask its members not to go out to the bars after shows. It's pretty obvious where the real superspreader events are. What's more insane is how many actors/musicians post instas of themselves out after shows. With NO FUCKING MASKS.

No one claimed that theater people were bright.

I’d be interested in seeing Sam in a jockstrap.

Anyone going to see The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe at (ugh) The Shed? I'm curious but not thrilled bout sitting indoors with 250 people for 3 hrs.

I was bored when I saw it with Lily.

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

His sense of fashion killed him, r159.

[quote]Apparently no one on the board is aware that Sutton has performed in six major Broadway musicals, has won 2 Tonys, and had a tv series that ran 7 seasons.

We are all aware. We just don't know how that happened.

A break from the misery: Jennifer Nettles in the final dress rehearsal before her opening night in Waitress.

I guess will have a Waitress movie soon enough.

R163, Been there already.

[Quote] I know many people who were there and no one got sick.

Well, that’s conclusive. Meanwhile they’ve been closed practically since they opened.

Yes, Christopher Adler died of an AIDS related illness.

[quote]Sam Gravitte is also openly gay. He has a twin sister.

Among so many sisters in the theater.

Sam Gravitte is a first class cocksucker.

Trevor: The Musical closed on Sunday two weeks early after announcing an original closing date of Jan 2nd last week. They blamed it on Covid, but I saw it the weekend after it opened and there were fewer than 100 people in the house. They let us sit anywhere.

R153, Then there must be naked pics of him out there. All gay men have naked selfies.

R168, speaking from first-mouth knowledge?

Sandra Bernhard canceled her yearly Christmas week shows at Joe's Pub yesterday.

Saw her there once with friends who [italic]adore[/italic] her. I found it painful. A most inexplicable celebrity.

R172, She also mouthed off about her former BFF Madonna on a podcast the other day.

She said Madge does not maintain friendships with anyone.

I can't imagine two folks who are probably more unpleasant friends.

Did the Britney Spears musical tryout in DC, ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME get good enough reviews to warrant a transfer to Broadway? Have they secured a theater? What an impossible time for Broadway producers.....I can't imagine anyone investing now except in the most assured hits.

I can't imagine there aren't investors who will hear 'Britney Spears' and think 'fan base' and be sure it's a hit...forgetting 'Bob Dylan,' 'John Lennon,' 'Beach Boys,' 'Paul Simon,' Go Go's,' [italic]ad infinitum[/italic].

(It looks like we're including "I can't imagine" in the last few posts, and I think we should continue it as a shortcut to instant bitchiness.)

[quote] Did the Britney Spears musical tryout in DC, ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME get good enough reviews to warrant a transfer to Broadway?

Read your question again really slowly and you'll find your answer.

R178, huh?

Charlotte St Martin grovelling after her stupid comments:

[quote]I sincerely apologize about my recent comments about understudies and swings. I clearly misunderstood and for that I am truly sorry. After speaking with several understudies and swings this morning I realize how this mistake has hurt many people. There was never any intention of disrespect. I do not make theatre but am committed to its success and to acknowledging the immense work of those who bring it to life 8 shows a week and 52 weeks a year. Again, please accept my apology.

She doesn't make theatre and yet heads the Broadway League?

R179 - Britney Spears musical, good reviews, Broadway transfer. The answer is clearly no.

Don't be so sure, R181.

THIS DAY IN BROADWAY HISTORY: In 1982, a revival of "Alice in Wonderland" opened at the Virginia Theatre.

Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster perform "Shipoopi" at the first preview of The Music Man:

[quote] She doesn't make theatre and yet heads the Broadway League?

She’s not the only one who is head of something but doesn’t know what their doing.

I have always been told that Charlotte St. Bernard is a figurehead, someone whom the producers can push around and who'll do and say whatever they want. I think her very poorly worded comments were misinterpreted in this case, but seeing how she has said so many really stupid things in the past, I would be glad to see her go for that reason -- though I do find this mob-mentality move to "cancel" somebody based on one statement very scary.

What did Charlotte say exactly?

Are middle aged, frumpy, fag hags the one's buying up all the $600+ tickets to see their idol Hugh in TMM? This was the same group of women that back in the day sold out the Majestic theatre to see Michael Crawford in Phantom. I've met some of these women, they're really pathetic.

I've seen Hugh on Bway. He was good but I didn't get the hype AT ALL.

He's a good looking movie star who can kinda sing. In this day and age, I guess that sells tickets.

R187 see R120

Britney Spears musical isn't coming anywhere near Broadway unless 50% of the cast is BIPOC.

Hugh's last really notable movie was GREATEST SHOWMAN 4 years ago. He's widely recognizable (and talented, and likeable...) but people talk about him as if he were A+ list. He's not.

[quote]Hugh's last really notable movie was GREATEST SHOWMAN 4 years ago. He's widely recognizable (and talented, and likeable...) but people talk about him as if he were A+ list. He's not.

You are incorrect. Among theater stars, one can't get much higher on the A-list than Hugh Jackman.

Whenever anyone with an ounce of movie stardom shows up on Bway, NYers pretend he/she's A-list.

Beanie is just the latest example.

Anyone hear Beanie croaking her way through a Dolly! song on the Kennedy Center honors? Does NOT bode well for her Fannie.

Will they reinstate the Broadway Cares auction? Hugh used to earn lots and lots of $$ when he wooed the audience to pay up for bits of his wardrobe and other items. The whole bit used to be known as the third act.

Is Jonah Hill behind this Funny Girl revival?

R194, From female fans, almost exclusively.

Beanie wasn't singing a Dolly song at the Kennedy Center honors, she was singing "Friends" to Bette Midler and she waaaaaaaay underperformed. How could anyone watching that think she can star in a Funny Girl revival?

"Friends" isn't much of a tune, is it?

[quote]Whenever anyone with an ounce of movie stardom shows up on Bway, NYers pretend he/she's A-list. Beanie is just the latest example.

If you are comparing Beanie Feldstein's popularity and drawing power to Hugh Jackman's.....well, there are no words.

[quote]From female fans, almost exclusively.

Incorrect. Hugh Jackman has a huge popularity base among "female fans" as well as gay men AS WELL as straight men for his movie appearances as Wolverine.

R202, Yeah, straight males 12 years old and under. As for gay men, forget it. I don’t know of any gay male who finds Hugh Jackman fuckable.

His fan base is predominantly females of a certain age, who find him attractive and appreciate the fact that he's married to an overweight woman 13 years older than him.

Are you kidding? A worked out male body will always find gay admirers.

R204, Hugh Jackman exudes asexuality.

[quote]As for gay men, forget it. I don’t know of any gay male who finds Hugh Jackman fuckable.

You must have a very small and/or odd circle of friends.

Asexuality isn't a thing.

Everyone is in such a mood to form a mob and attack. It's what social media and the pandemic have wrought. If any of these actors furiously attacking St. Martin on Twitter would just take a moment and read her first statement objectively, they would realize she very clumsily was saying that some shows are canceling performances because they haven't been around a long enough time to have enough people around who they can call for backup. Or that they're too new to have enough covers/understudies/swings to handle this. But of course actors have turned it into "she disrespects swings"

I agree that Hugh seems bland. He doesn’t pass sexuality at all

R208, exactly. And what she also was trying to say (but she fucked it up because she's far from well spoken) is that understudies, swings, and covers for shows that have just opened are likely to be far less well rehearsed than for established shows that have been running for a while. Anybody who knows anything about theater knows that this is almost always the case.

Does this woman not make public statements for a living?

People are scared. People are mad. They need someone to attack. Doesn't matter who.

[quote]Does this woman not make public statements for a living?

Yes, and she has always done it very badly, but this one got her into trouble because some rabid SJWs have chosen to target this specific, ineptly worded statement.

R208/R210 She may have meant that, but she didn't say that. And why should people be charitable towards someone so idiotic that she's unable to speak clearly about something so simple? Her entire job is to do PR for the producers, she should be able to communicate.

And that's without even getting into the argument of whether she should be saying it publicly anyway. There's a lot of angry ticket-holders out there looking for someone specific to be angry at, and she gave them targets.

[quote] Beanie wasn't singing a Dolly song at the Kennedy Center honors, she was singing "Friends" to Bette Midler and she waaaaaaaay underperformed. How could anyone watching that think she can star in a Funny Girl revival?

That's why they should ditch her and cast this mess in the role. Underperformance will never be a problem.

Turkey Lurkey

R196-Maybe Marni Nixon will sing the score and bitch will lip-synch.

R208-People are furious because, this time, she made it very clear she has no experience in the Broadway theatre, has never worked in the Broadway theatre, therefore has no business representing the Broadway Theatre.

Get it now?

^. Rude. ^

[quote]Not even the version with Hugh Jackman naked and getting cornholed by Tommy DJilas.

Where Hugh gets Shipoopi all over Tommy's cak?

R219-Fuck you.

There. Rude?

But r218, none of these shrill actors are mentioning that. They're convinced she's saying understudies/swings/covers are not talented. This outrage has more to do with feeling unseen and latching on to the first perceived offense so they can rage on instagram

St Martin saying the productions don't have enough understudies prepared is a far cry from saying understudies aren't important.

Okay, so we know that poor Claybourne Elder was thrown up on. But who did the actual throwing up?

Outrage addicts aren't going to choose to objectively see anything.

[quote]They're convinced she's saying understudies/swings/covers are not talented. This outrage has more to do with feeling unseen and latching on to the first perceived offense so they can rage on instagram

Yes, with a disgusting blogger fanning the flame, when there are so many other things that people should be so much more upset about. But as you more or less say, this is largely about scapegoating and expressing hatred toward an easily identifiable person for a minor offense because these people can't take revenge against those they really should be furious with -- namely, the unvaccinated and everyone who has contributed to prolonging the pandemic.

Etai Benson was the COMPANY cast member with stomach issues.

Who is Claybourne's understudy and what does he look like in tighty whities?

Is Etai Benson straight? What about Bobby Conte? Who’s had him?

I would also like to know what Elder looks like en deshabille. I don't ask for much, Santa.

[quote]Who is Claybourne's understudy and what does he look like in tighty whities?

I hope it's hunk Nicholas Rodriguez!

R226 So, what, should they have remained silent when they felt offended by what she said? And what she said was stupid, so no, they aren't making something up out of nothing. It seems some posters here have more of a problem with who is criticising her ("shrill actors"), rather than what they're criticising her for.

R231 they're criticizing her for something she didn't say. She very clumsily said a lot of shows don't have enough coverage or coverage that is ready. She never said that swings don't matter or that swings aren't important or talented. But that seems to be the party line, here.

I like Mary Testa but she’s not as good as she thinks she is.

thenickrod? How embarassing.

Nicholas Rodriguez has been in... Bajour!

R232 Well let's look at what she said

[quote]My educated guess is the newer shows maybe have understudies that aren’t as efficient in delivering the role as the lead is

How is that to be taken as anything other than a criticism of some understudies? I'm not interested in what she meant to say, but what she actually did say. And again, this is a woman whose job it is to be the public face of the League. So it's not like communication isn't meant to be one of her skills.

Many actors feel that St. Martin, representing producers against their union AEA, has allowed producers to keep understudy tracks to the barest minimum to save money. So here we are now in a situation where there need to be more understudy tracks for each show to cover al of the Covid-related illnesses.

R237 No wonder she was talking about efficiency

"Newer shows (without much rehearsal under the belt/without several years of Broadway or tour cast members to pool from) maybe have understudies that aren’t as efficient in delivering the role as the lead is (have understudies who aren't ready yet because they are newer shows)"

She should have added that this opinion is based on the fact that not every show has years of former cast members to call up, and also that covid is knocking out too many cast members in shows without deep benches. But come on. Do we think "efficient" means "untalented"?

R237 and r238 now THAT makes sense. Be mad at her for that. This should be the point everyone is driving home. Don't turn it into "she thinks understudies aren't talented"

Maybe they should work on holograms of the actors, which can fill in when the real thing is off.

Wow, R230! I can see why all the theatre folk call him "Titsy Rodriguez"!

Understudies and swings have always felt under-appreciated. St. Martin should have acknowledged the fact that these people are helping keep shows open in this crisis. The Producers League needs to change their attitude about minimal coverage. She needs to acknowledge that. Her carelessly worded statement wasn't degrading understudies, however.

Sutton Foster has Covid.

Mary Testa is one of the worst performers I've seen in 34 years of Broadway-going. She's a shrill ham. I once saw her in a show in a small house where she was almost right in front of me. She was braying so loudly that I gave her the finger in mid-performance. The only good thing I can say about her is at least she isn't Jackie Hoffman. But then again the only good thing I can say about Jackie Hoffman is at least she isn't Mary Testa.

What is Mary Testa complaining about?

Her bunions.

Mary can be very annoying onstage, but her Barbara Bush in FIRST DAUGHTER'S SUITE was terrific. And I hear that in QUEEN OF THE MIST she was quite wonderful. Alas, she can be very self-serving in real life.

[quote] Sutton Foster has Covid.

Link?

R244 Says who?

Erin Dilly.

Jackie Hoffman can be, can be, reined in as was shown in "Feud" where she was relatively restrained and quite good.

Someone at BWW posted a little while ago that Sutton is out tonight.

I saw NickRod in Collette at the York. He was shirtless. That’s all I remember. Quite big tits.

R245, Xanadu must have been torturous for you.

One of the big surprises in Once Upon a Once More Time is Justin Guarani's performance as Prince Charming. As the unfaithful Prince, he apparently stops the show singing “Oops! … I Did It Again”.

I'm guessing that it will come to Broadway (with some more work), because theaters are empty and musicals with names attached sell.

R244, Is she shipooping?

Does Music Man have standbys?

R230, I saw NR in Sunset Boulevard with Alice Ripley in 2019 at the NSMT in Beverly, MA.

Spoke with him briefly in the parking lot, nice guy.

I was disappointed that he opened ACT II lying by Norma's pool fully clothed.

R259. I think James Snyder is Hugh’s standby.

Waitress canceled the rest of its run and closed.

James Snyder is not in the show?

R261 how come?

Too much COVID.

Waitress not finishing out it’s limited run. Last performance was Dec 20.

This is Sutton’s understudy who’s on tonigth

Wow, R265 managed both an "Oh, dear" and a "Mein Fuhrer."

It's cute that some of these people have websites.

R268 how do you mean?

BWW is basically confirming Sutton's condition by deleting all posts asking about it. They never allow info like that, even in the forum, until the producers allow it. They were notorious in helping the producers of Wonderful Town cover up Donna Murphy's illness and constant absences.

[Quote] how do you mean?

Personal websites are pretty obselete.

Is NickRod gay?

Is Robert Diamond still running things over at BWW? When I met him back in 2006, I wanted to jump him so bad!

Is water wet?

Yes I think he’s married to this sometimes-director assistant director person

Which question is that an answer to, r274? NickRod being gay, or Robert Diamond still running BWW?

Nick. He's gay. And out.

Who’s had him?

R271 but what's cute about having a personal website?

Are all these sidelined stars, canceled performances and actual posthumous closings better than if Broadway just paused?

Colored Man closed

Hugh actually has an understudy? If he calls out sick, won’t the entire audience (having paid premium prices for tickets) want to exchange their tickets?

Sorry, but NO ONE is there to see an understudy

He has two or three scheduled weeks off during which time the show is not playing. Who knows what they will do when he’s out unscheduled. Did people get refunds tonight with Sutton out?

[Quote] but what's cute about having a personal website?

The belief that it's useful.

R283, if she’s above the title, then refunds are usually offered. A problem with smash hits like Music Man will likely be, it’s hard to offer tickets for another performance as everything is close to sold out

R283, Yes, since she's star billed with Hugh.

Music Man rep declined to comment to NYTimes:

“Meanwhile, Sutton Foster, the lead actress in a revival of “The Music Man” that just started previews on Monday, missed Thursday night’s performance for reasons that the show would not explain.”

I wonder if anyone asked for a refund

Flying over sunset is being recorded?

I can't believe Thoughts of a Colored Man thought it would actually run until March 13. Shit, even Trevor looked at their audiences and were like- Yikes!

I don't think there's any kind of legal obligation that if there's a name above the title absence a refund has to be offered but it's such a long established Broadway tradition that most producers abide by it. It would create a lot of negative publicity otherwise and a star above the title absence is negative publicity enough.

Hugh made a truly remarkable speech at the curtain call about tonight's understudies (specifically Kathy) and the swings who were forced to learn the full show, and be 'put in' within a 5-6 hour turnaround today. Very moving and especially after St. Martin's tone deaf comments, all the more poignant. He gets a lot of shit on here, but Hugh's good people:

[quote]Hugh actually has an understudy? If he calls out sick, won’t the entire audience (having paid premium prices for tickets) want to exchange their tickets?

I believe he had one or more understudies or standbys for THE BOY FROM OZ just for the record, but none of them ever went on. Whenever Hugh was out of the show for whatever reason, the show did not play.

Claybourne Elder is out of Company. Covid. Is NickRod filling his briefs?

Don't forget, an understudy for Hugh Jackman is very handy at day time rehearsals with other understudies when they don't want to call in Hugh.

Nick Rodriguez is a gorgeous man but he is long past his nearly nude moments onstage.

Good people!?

If Claybourne Elder has Covid, how does this not ripple through the cast, starting with Katrina Lenk?

Elder specifically said in his Instagram announcement that Jacob Dickey will be playing Andy while he's out.

And yes, I have no idea how Lenk won't get it since she and Elder/Andy have that making out scene with a lot of kissing.

Here's Dickey. I doubt anyone will complain about seeing him in his underwear.

Here is a production of Company in which the cast members best reflect real America: middle-aged married women who are overweight and their dumpy husbands. Much more realistic than anything on Broadway.

Kathy Voytko is wonderful, both as a person and as a performer. But she's sort of been pigeonholed as an understudy. Probably because she's very good at just waltzing on at a moment's notice and nailing it. I'm sure she was fantastic last night.

[quote]But she's sort of been pigeonholed as an understudy. Probably because she's very good at just waltzing on at a moment's notice and nailing it.

She has proven she is reliable and a hard worker, something I wish most young performers were. How did today's performers get so lazy? It's even encouraged/rewarded.

The mostly racist and now-useless WSYWAT exists now merely as an all purpose [italic]provocateur[/italic] to call out and magnify perceived offenses, getting off on riling up its base (sound like anyone else?) more than on accomplishing anything. Calling for St. Martin's "cancellation" or resignation after the woman apologized is patently ridiculous--now it's about her salary--especially since seemingly no one in that base even know what her job even [italic]is[/italic]. As evidenced by most of the comments saying things like "What does this person actually do?" This group is mostly actors, who, I'm sorry, are not known for being well informed about the industry in which they work.

Charlotte spoke badly,. No, her job - her actual job - does not require actually "making theater." She runs a trade association with many disparate components, from union negotiations to government work, and trying to find consensus between producers of wildly different productions and real estate magnates/landlords. She spoke badly, she apologized. No one who is calling for her resignation knows anything about whether or not she should resign because they don't know how well she does her job.

Sorry , had to write that out to think that through. Something the WSYWAT poster(s) do not do. And much like DL posters, they act out and hide like cowards behind anonymity. As I just did. Enough said.

I was there at last night's "Music Man," and Kathy was indeed terrific.

Ohhh, so WSYWAT criticised St Martin, that explains the posters here automatically leaping to her defence.

automatically r306? where in this thread did you see something happen automatically, other than in the conclusion to which you leapt in your post?

r307 The whining about 'cancelling' people and SJWs, etc. Sorry if this is the first time you're learning that you have a tell

Something good did come out of Charlotte’s statement; understudies and swings are finally in the spotlight and getting the recognition they deserve. How many people even knew what a swing was before this? Hopefully this will lead to a bigger paycheck for them.

[quote]I was there at last night's "Music Man," and Kathy was indeed terrific.

I wonder if this will turn into something like a Judy Kaye situation for her? Wouldn't that be lovely. (I don't mean that she'll take over the role of Marian permanently, at least now now, but that she will be thought of as a star henceforth.)

A bit off-topic, but there is talk about the Met Opera closing down until February, then possibly/probably re-opening. A "small" (whatever that means) number of the choristers have tested positive. Since the chorus members are usually in close proximity onstage and backstage, this is not good news.

So if Claybourne tested positive for Covid why didn’t Company shutdown even briefly? I thought that’s what shows are doing when cast members are diagnosed.

R312, shows are not shutting down if even one person in the company tests positive. If that were the case, every show on Broadway would be shut indefinitely.

The logic here, I assume, is that it's possible some people can avoid contracting the virus even when working closely with one or more COVID-positive persons in a show. So, when one or more people do test positive, those people are out of the show in quarantine for whatever the accepted period is, and the show will go on as long as there are enough covers or understudies or standbys to cover the people who are out.

Clay’s covid shan’t stop my tongue from furiously plundering his Mormon hole.

Incidentally, is Book of Mormon still open? I think it came back highly revised.

So when will someone write the truth about WSYWA -- none of its writers were Black.

Any more news about Sutton? Does she have the Covid?

Turkey...

R272-That's a question for the guys who have cast him in shows.

What show is WSYWA? Would it kill you to type out a full title?

WSYWAT is not a show, moron. We See You White America Theatre.

[quote] Waitress not finishing out it’s limited run. Last performance was Dec 20.

This shocks me. Waitress was running?

[quote]WSYWAT is not a show, moron. We See You White America Theatre.

So then it's WSYWAT, not WYSWA. And I still don't get why the use of an abbreviation that some people aren't going to get, especially since previous comments in this thread were not about that subject.

August Wilson would be ashamed that his name would be associated with this.

August Wilson would have instantly disavowed WSYWAT. There were no Black people (or men) in its writing. This is the story no one is willing to write about, including CTG which wouldn't shut up about it for the first few months.

If it is true that no black people were involved in writing the WSYWAT statement(s), that is a very sharp irony indeed, and everyone needs to know about it. So thanks for the information, again assuming it's true.

Details, r316? Their anonymity pissed me off so much

Music Man cancelled Saturdays performances

Sutton spreads the coof.

R328 how come?

Ivanka and Jared are having a party that Hugh simply can't miss

Sutton has posted on her IG that she will be out of MM until at least Jan. 2.

Sorry, white American theatre ticket holders who spent $699 each (WATTHWS699E)!

Shangri-La

I never realized West Side Story wasn't Carol Lawrence's Broadway debut.

Yes, WEST SIDE STORY was Carol Lawrence's seventh Broadway show.

Why did Carol and Robert Goulet divorce?

R336. He came home smelling like gas station toilet one too many times.

[quote]He came home smelling like gas station toilet one too many times.

So, hanging around with Scotty Bowers then?

My play will never close because of Covid. Come see a true work of genius, even if I have to do all of the parts.

Carol became a crazy religious nut.

Robert Goulet had that effect on people.

She was no longer a New Face by then, r334.

Hadn’t Hugh been kissing Sutton onstage for the first three previews? How can he avoid Covid?

Who is that singing the title song from Shangri-La? Surely that’s not Lew Ayres?

The Goulet-Lawrence divorce was a particularly nasty one. They were calling each other names during the bows for their last show, Camelot (Bob was King Arthur), in LA in ‘75.

Why did they divorce? Difference of opinions?

He thought Barbra was pretty.

R330's middle name is "Clueless." And his first name is "Stupid" and last name is "Idiot."

Who was Lancelot, r345?

WSYWAT is a hack, marxist, left wing group of professional victims. It has little basis in any facts or reality. And like most Anti-Racist ideology -- every single aspect of the theatre is ripe with white supremacy. It's lunacy and has no basis to support its thesis. Their demands -- sorry, manifesto -- are laughable. Any critical, reasonable progressive thinker would take issue with their methods and aims. I'm sorry, but not everyone (regardless of your intersectionality) will get a medal in this life. And certainly NOT in a competitive, cutthroat industry like show business. Looking for fairness here? Good fucking luck. Never has been, never will be.

But that isn't to say progress hasn't occurred. It IS occurring by leaps and bounds. Equality of opportunity is happening and more widely than ever. Which is a GREAT thing and benefits all artistic, creative pursuits. Diversity of thought and talent are paramount. But PRESCRIBED outcomes is always a terrible, counterintuitive idea. Equality of outcome (checking boxes, quotas, etc) is a temporary solution based more in satisfying OPTICS than meaningful, long lasting change for minorities and those underrepresented. It MUST start with creating opportunity at the lowest entry point: namely the ability to apply to (and afford) training programs/conservatories/college programs. And above that, talent agencies and casting directors widening who they consider. This has been the trend for the last 15-20 years and has only grown exponentially in the last 4-5.

But here's the thing: there are only a finite number of productions and finite number of roles at any given time. And the needs of each production/role vary widely and specifically. There are box office considerations. Directors have different visions. Casting becomes an alchemy. Which is why these manifestos are complete horseshit and do NOTHING to move the needle for those that need it moved the most. They don't take into account any of the finer minutia that make or break these productions.

But we're living in an era where it's much easier to explain you plight in life by systemic victimhood than actually go and do something proactive about it.

Some people are trying to make a power play. Hasn't it been ever thus? I guess you're bothered by the specific groups...

Shangri-La...

White radical feminists are evil.

I'm going to sing you a song!

R349. Ron Husmann

R351 -- Yes. A group of elite white liberals with a savior complex if the rumors are to be believed.

Such a predictable response to this complex, multifaceted issue. And of course, because I don't follow their exact scripture, I must be racist...killer logic! SMH.

The worst bit is that we're likely advocating for the identical outcomes. But the woke are too busy with their inquisition to even realize most of us are in the same lane.

Don't worry, dear. Not much will change.

R345, When Carol was on Broadway in Subways are for Sleeping, she would not allow Phyllis Newman to be within her sight in the wings while she was on stage.

Phyllis won a Tony for her performance, beating Streisand.

R345, Carol made wild accusations about Goulet, both in her autobiography and on talk shows.

I remember she accused him of abusing and terrorizing their two sons.

Saw Goulet in Moon Over Buffalo on broadway. He was embarrassingly bad. Kept breaking character and laughing. Lynn Redgrave, who was playing opposite him, looked horrified every time he cracked himself up.

At various performances of the LA Camelot, Goulet would call Lawrence a bitch, and she would call him a bastard. Sometimes it was even worse (this was during the bows).

They should have done "... Virginia Woolf" instead.

Kiss Me Kate

[quote]They should have done "... Virginia Woolf" instead.

They did do "Kiss Me, Kate" on television.

Brought to you by Armstrong.

Exceptionally well said, R350!

They just said on Channel 11 news that Sutton tested positive, so I guess they're not trying to keep it hush-hush.

[quote]They just said on Channel 11 news that Sutton tested positive, so I guess they're not trying to keep it hush-hush.

Shipoopi.

I can play Marian! It will show that the producers are neither racist nor transphobic.

R357 I wish that were true and the truth will come out. Do you think you have it on good authority?

It's suspected but not proven, based on the fact that the leadership won't identify themselves, despite promises to do so. That said, I do think the focus on the leadership is somewhat missing the wood for the trees, given all those names still signed on to the bullshit they came up with, seemingly without a single one of them stopping to ask who wrote it.

A reminder for Brits (and those with proxies) - the Sutton Foster Anything Goes is on BBC Two tomorrow at 6.40pm. And ITV has All Star (suuuure) Musicals at 8pm, for anyone who wants to punish themselves by watching Gyles Brandreth singing Get Me to the Church on Time. Or there's the ROH's La Boheme at 9pm on BBC Four.

[quote] all those names still signed on to the bullshit they came up with, seemingly without a single one of them stopping to ask who wrote it.

r372 didn't a lot of them sign it before [italic]seeing[/italic] it? I know that was the case throughout the industry; we signed in principle based on their stated intentions (and I wish I could un-sign it now). Did the original signers have access to the entire manifesto?

Merry Christmas. What shows won't re-open?

[italic]North Country[/italic]? [italic]Ain't Too Proud[/italic]? [italic]Dear Evan Hansen[/italic]?

Aladdin?

You’re not progressive R350. You have no idea what the word means. You may have been, a long long time ago, but I doubt it.

You’re old and irrelevant. Sit down and shut up.

Where are you hearing this R311? Do you know people in the chorus?

350 defines TL;DR. We asked for info and got a screed. Bah humbug.

I heard it from a colleague who knows people who work at the Met, R378. No real proof that it 's true, obviously, but just what I heard.

R374 Didn't it start with the original letter, then the "demands"/manifesto came later? I'd assume the signees saw the letter, and let's face it the tone of that made it clear what kind of bullshit they'd end up demanding. But if people did sign something without seeing it - well that's just stupid of them.

I see they're now campaigning for all gender bathrooms in all theatres. They've quickly become the theatre version of Occupy Wall Street - just a mass demand for anything and everything with zero focus and zero chance of achieving anything.

Harvey Evans died yesterday.

A while ago there was a discussion about why Sondheim gave up on Sunset Boulevard. This letter posted on the SondheimLetters IG suggests why. Sounds like he wasn't all that invested in the project, so perhaps he just took Billy Wilder's lack of enthusiasm as a chance to get out of a project he didn't really want to do, without hurting anyone's feelings.

He liked the gush.

Ok who’s going to find a way to record Anything Goes and post it somewhere so us lazy bitches can watch? Valens? Are you out there?

R385 Keep an eye on this Reddit

These Sondheim letters are fascinating....and really touching.

I wonder how his husband is doing.

R386. THANK YOU! Happy Holidays :)

His husband is doing well.

good to know, r389.

$tephen $ondheim'$ much younger hu$band is dealing $urpri$ingly well with hi$ grief.

Ju$t $aying.

So sorry to hear about Harvey Evans.....I haven't seen an obit posted anywhere on social media.

Harvey was a lovely man. When I was in college, the first national tour of Dolly! came to Chicago and a few of us would linger at the stage door to get a glimpse of Channing. While waiting, we chatted up the chorus boys, including Harvey, who played Barnaby. He gave us a backstage tour, got my souvenir program signed by Herself (it reads "To Harvey's friend"), and when we saw the show gave us a quick nod as he danced across the passerelle. He also introduced me to Anyone Can Whistle, where he had danced what he called "some of the best choreography since West Side Story." I was able to relate this to him a few years back at a dinner party. He of course didn't recall what to him must have been a normal encounter with a fan, but he was sweet about listening to my memories nonetheless. RIP Harvey.

don't be a jerk, r391.

If you search social media, there are several Black artists calling out the women who lied to everyone and wrote WSYWAT. It all came to a head when they called out Black people for not attending an Asian Hate seminar, and then the shit hit the fan. Search it.

R392, Harvey Evans . . . FOLLIES.

The person whk cast the background actors on West Side Story told me that one of the original cast on Broadway contacted her to ask if she could put on his granddaughter. She told him that unfortunately all the stuff with kids had been shot. She put him on as a security guard at Gimbels, it became known very soon that he’d been in the OBC and Spielberg threw him a line of dialogue (which hasn’t been cut). And then later reshoot days required kids so his granddaughter was used. For some reason I thought she meant Bert Michaels but I guess it was Harvey Evans? Does anybody know if Evans had grandchildren? I can’t find info on Google.

Harvey Evans had no grandchildren but he has godchildren.

Harvey/FOLLIES

R395 But search for what, exactly? We'd need some kind of parameters to even have a chance of finding these posts. If you've seen them you at least have an idea of what to look for, or perhaps could just name the women outright.

Plus, looking through the social media accounts of those linked to WSYWAT induces severe eye-rolling and exhaustion.

[quote]Plus, looking through the social media accounts of those linked to WSYWAT induces severe eye-rolling and exhaustion.

It gave me piles.

......

Broadway is stupid.

MERRY CHRISTMAS from PATTI!!

Patti has nice chest hair.

DataLounge joins every single show on Broadway in suddenly recognizing our lovely, hard-working, vitally important standbys and understudies whom we've ignored all this time and whose names we're not quite sure of now that Charlotte St. Martin said a stupid thing and we all discovered we might look less woefully inept and unaware and mismanaged if we posted something and pretended to have feelings about them on our social media. Merry Christmas! We're POSITIVE we love our understudies and standbys— [italic]Wait, remind me, what's the difference between them again?[/italic]

I miss After Dark!

Yes, I’m old.

The stylist took a dislike to Lapone, I see.

[quote] a dislike to Lapone

oh dear, doll

You forgot the period, hon.

I don't have periods anymore, doll

That explains the hairy chest.

[quote]Harvey Evans died yesterday.

No link?

Phyllis after dark...

Tina and Mockingbird just canceled tonight. This is madness

Harvey Evans isn’t in the new version of West Side Story. He wanted to do it, but just wasn’t well enough at the time.

Somehow his name still got listed in the credits, but didn’t actually do it.

We may need to put mlop on suicide watch

Washington Post has a nice obit for Harvey Evans.

Did the fellow dinner party guest ask Evans about Larry Kert?

[Quote] A true triple threat who’s heart was as big as his incredible career.”

Oh, dear!

Oooh interesting r391....have the top male escorts in NYC been spending a lot of time in Turtle Bay?

Jesus Christ, R415. I just saw a story on the evening news tonight about "Tina" and how it was resuming performances tonight and they talked to excited audience members outside the theater. And then they canceled it? Madness is right.

No, r419, but he did talk of dancing on the Judy Garland TV series, which he both enjoyed and hated. Also at table were Barbara Cook, Lois Smith, and John Glover. I was the outlier, the non-show-biz guy.

Being a prostitute is still a form of being an entertainer.

Channel 7 just mentioned again on its 11:00 news that "Tina" was reopening tonight and didn't say anything about it canceling, so perhaps they were able to go on after all.

Nope it was cancelled, says so at the top of their website and performances resume tomorrow

Thanks for the correction, R426.

"The Music Man has announced that the evening performance on Saturday, December 25 and matinee performance on Sunday, December 26 of Broadway's The Music Man have been cancelled due to breakthrough COVID-19 cases. All tickets for the cancelled shows will be refunded at the point of purchase."

OMG. What the fuck is Patti doing at about 5:20?? Is this the first incident of a Desiree groping herself during Send in the Clowns? The clip cuts of right when it appears she's about to... to quote her least favorite President... grab herself by the pussy!

Patty is a Petra.

Huh, R416? So it’s Bert Michaels who barks “What’s going on?” to Maria and Chino in the department store loading dock. It makes no sense that Harvey Evans “wanted to do it” but his name is in the credits.

The only Sondheim role Patti should play, that she hasn’t already, is Cora Hoover Hooper.

Or maybe Milky White.

There was a big discussion the other day in one of the FB musical groups. I think it was Michael Portantiere who swore he had spoken to Harvey, and he was not able to do the cameo.

Of course, now we've also had Rachel Zegler pointing out (on IG) that Bert Michaels is the security guard, not Harvey.

Is this free? Does anyone see a link?

R434 Not free and here's a link

Ah, thanks, R433, I could have sworn the casting director told me it was Bert Michael. It’s hard to tell who it is because he’s only onscreen for a second and it isn’t a close-up. Why the fuck does Harvey Evans get credited for it, though?

Bert Michaels, I mean.

It *is* weird that with so much coverage of SS's death, no one talks to or about his partner. Is he the one who is not interested in talking?

He's mourning.

His partner is doing quite well.

Is that snark, r440, or is he really doing well? It can't have been totally unexpected, but they were together a long time so it must be very painful.

When I attended a Saturday evening performance of Company in the Berkshires starring Aaron Tveit in 2017, Sondheim was there alone and looking disheveled, sitting in the last row of the Orchestra section.

I found it odd that his partner was not with him.

Sondheim's attendance at nearly every production of his shows was at least a quasi-professional activity rather than an exclusively social one. It doesn't seem odd or significant to me that he'd go to lots of these alone.

Have you ever dated an actor or someone in the performing arts? It’s out of the question to go to every single event with them. You would kill each other or yourself.

A then 87-year-old man, on a Saturday night,150 miles from home, you'd think his husband might have accompanied him.

R432, Patti did Cora in ACW at Ravinia in 2005.

I suspect that if Sondheim wanted someone to attend an event, any event, with him there was never a shortage of willing takers.

Sondheim’s husband doesn’t owe the world an update on how he’s doing. Some people prefer to mourn in private and not on social media.

Maybe someone just forgot to unhook him

Of course he doesn't, r448. I inquired out of concern.

It's not snark. I know for a fact he's doing well.

I'm glad to hear this.

R430 She might sound great as a Petra, but could you understand her with all those rapid-fire lyrics in "The Miller's Son"? It would make her version of "Buenos Aires" (subtitled) sound as crisp and understandable as if done by Julie Andrews in comparison.

Speaking of Patty Lapone - Company matinee canceled. “As of now” tonight’s show is on.

I hope you're trying to be funny, r454.

Whatever do you mean

How much longer before people stop buying tickets because they’re fed up with exchanging them.

Not just exchanging, but planning your day and, most likely, getting to the theater to find out there is no show. A lot of these cancellations are very last minute. It’s a terrible situation but this is not working the way they are doing it, whether it is to make money or save jobs or both, it is failing

Mockingbird seems to have canceled its matinee at noon today.

Yeah, it sucks. I have tickets for Company tonight, rescheduled from April 2020 and traveling from out of town. It’s a lesson in acceptance.

People using the term "woke" should be beaten regularly like gongs.

Netflix never cancels

And there is never a line for the bathroom.

[quote]Huh, [R416]? So it’s Bert Michaels who barks “What’s going on?” to Maria and Chino in the department store loading dock. It makes no sense that Harvey Evans “wanted to do it” but his name is in the credits.

It doesn't make sense, but clearly, someone screwed up. The credits at the end of the film itself aren't even the same as what's listed on ibdb, at least not when I checked.

8 understudies on at Come From Away today.

“And now on BBC2, recorded live from the Barbican, a major new production of the musical Anything Goes…”

“Directed for the screen by Ross MacGibbon”

Thank god it’s not Lonny Price.

My ears are already bleeding from the bad American accents.

Wow, Reno makes a very early entrance.

[quote]8 understudies on at Come From Away today.

Honestly. Who could tell?

Madness, I tell you. [italic]Madness![/italic]

Not up to speed here, please fill me in. Is it that the rapid testing happens at the theatre when they report for that evening's show that makes the cancellations so last minute? Is it out of the question for everyone to use an at-home test or somehow get the testing done before, say, 3 pm so at least audience would have the remainder of the afternoon to get tickets to something else?

And how many positive tests require closure? Do they just stay out and negative testing company members go on with the understudies, and they only quit when they run out of coverage? or does one positive test automatically cancel the pending performance and put the whole company into holding pattern to see if other cases develop?

Surely one of you backstage showbiz people can explain the procedures.

[quote] People using the term "woke" should be beaten regularly like gongs.

Woke people should be put on a deserted island and all given guns.

Playbill publishes show status.

They all test at half-hour at the theater. The positive people go home. If there are enough people left to do the show, they do it. Otherwise, they cancel it.

^I live nearby, and I've already practiced all the dance routines!

Matt Doyle has said the Company cast are tested multiple times a day, so guess they are doing at home tests

Multiple tests per day while they were still in rehearsal during the day and at performances at night.

I had dinner at Sondheim‘s apartment, with him and Jeff, about five years ago. The strange thing about Jeff was that he didn’t seem to have many of the interests that Sondheim had. He wasn’t knowledgeable about movies or theater. At one point in the evening, Sondheim made a joke about Gloria Swanson, and then said to Jeff, “oh, you wouldn’t know who that is.” Jeff protested, “yes, I do,” but I don’t think he did.

They seemed happy together, but I can’t imagine what they talked about.

Robert Lindsay is fine in this Anything Goes telecast but he just pronounced “dogs” like “dahgs.” Jesus.

The happiest couples are the ones who have separate interests and friends. Trust me. I’ve been part of one and seen quite a few.

R454, do NOT try to make “Patty Lapone” happen.

Patti has been known to cut a bitch for less.

[quote] 8 understudies on at Come From Away today.

I'm available, praise the Lord.

R478, how did they meet? How did it become a relationship? Did they ever have sex?

[quote] Did they ever have sex?

I’m guessing that didn’t come up in the conversation.

I'm calling bullshit on R478's claims. I mean first of all, apartment? Secondly, Jeff worked for a West End/Broadway producer and was a theatre talent rep for William Morris, of course he knew theatre.

Well, did he work for the producer or did he "work" for the producer?

I did have dinner with Sondheim and Jeff twice over the years. Though Jeff was relatively quiet, they were both extremely nice. A mutual friend who knew Sondheim for more than a few decades, said she had never seen him as happy as he was since he and Jeff got together. So shut the fuck up and have some compassion and respect you miserable assholes.

Why didn’t Jeff ever convince his husband to have eyelid surgery?

[quote] I'm calling bullshit on [R478]'s claims. I mean first of all, apartment? Secondly, Jeff worked for a West End/Broadway producer and was a theatre talent rep for William Morris, of course he knew theatre.

Sorry, I should have said townhouse.

I'm surprised Jeff worked for a West End producer, he didn't seem to have any interest in the arts when I had dinner with them, but who knows, it was just one dinner. Jeff's main interest was photography, as I remember.

Kimber Elayne Sprawl out after Act One of Girl from the North Country this afternoon. Such a great show, but I have no idea how it can last.

Some of these comments and questions about Sondheim and his partner are appallingly stupid.

As someone once said, you love who you love. It seems clear that they did; they were together for close to 20 years, I think.

R491 MUST be new here.

And the evening performance of Company has been cancelled

Here's hoping R460 hasn't left the house yet (meant in the best possible way)

[quote]And the evening performance of Company has been cancelled

Do I still get paid?

R495 Haven't you been paid enough to not perform?

Can she just sing "Rainbow High" instead?

Company just added another male understudy. Maybe they should add a few more.

R498 That wouldn't be very efficient

Does any DLer have any knowledge of Sondheim being in a relationship with Edward Betz / later a talent agent whose clients included B.D. Wong, Carole King, Nicol Williamson, and Ally Sheedy. THis would have been late 1970s. Betz passed away in 1994. Thanks in advance

R497 You mean garble it?

Thanks, r494. Was already at dinner and will just extend and cross my fingers I can see on another trip.. What a crazy time.

R502 Just curious, were you contacted by the box office or anything, or are they just relying on people finding out from social media/showing up at the theatre?

R502 Go to Come From Away. Eight swings, a chimp and Chaddy are on tonight

R500, Any relation to Carl Betz?

I had no idea Sondheim was with his husband for 20 years! I thought it was a short relationship

"Tina" canceled for tonight.

Are Sunday night shows common?

R503, I saw it here first, but also received an exceptionally cold email from Telecharge at 5:05. I am sure I will see the show, but the fact that they delayed really leaves a bad taste.

[quote] Are Sunday night shows common?

More and more, I’d think. And of course, producers try to cram as many shows in these holiday weeks as possible. The amount of $$$ lost due to omicron is just staggering.

R509 Well that's disappointing, you'd expect them to try a bit harder than an automated email, especially given how much they need goodwill right now. I'd like to think it's a data issue, maybe contact details aren't passed on from the processor to the theatre box office.

Telecharge is not known for its warmth.

Or its fashion sense.

A lot of shows added Sunday night this week to give everyone Xmas Eve or, this year, Sat matinee off.

Years ago, I saw a funny video made by some cast members of OH! CALCUTTA! The premise was simple: what if during a performance, actors started getting sick - one by one - and so the understudies had to go on. Eventually the understudies got sick and so the cast grew smaller and smaller with each scene. The one moment I remember was dancer Cheryl Hartley having to do the famous nude pas de deux with a chair. Now it seems like art imitating life.

One thing to keep in mind is that your “exchange” probably means more expensive tickets or worse seats. Dynamic pricing and premium seating mean that rescheduling can be a bad experience.

Someone I know had booked a 95 pound ticket for Cabaret in London. Their performance was canceled. They were offered a corresponding ticket for a later performance (after all the raves came out). 200 pounds.

Lot of experienced understudies for shows, so I havent seen a big decrease in quality in Company and a few other casts. Some of the guys are DL faves.

I predict a few more permanent closures like Tina and a lot more theaters being vacant this spring.

Is there any chance they'll have a male actor understudy Lenk?

Is there a chance they'll find someone who can sing the score to understudy Lenk.

[Quote] Someone I know had booked a 95 pound ticket for Cabaret in London. Their performance was canceled. They were offered a corresponding ticket for a later performance (after all the raves came out). 200 pounds.

They make you pay the difference when they canceled the original performance??!!!

[quote] Is there a chance they'll find someone who can sing the score to understudy Lenk

Hello!

Lenk's understudies are Nikki Renee Daniels and Britney Coleman. Daniels normally plays Jenny (and the priest in "Getting Married Today"). She was very funny in the latter and had a great voice. I wouldn't mind seeing her in the part.

Nikki Rene Daniels is the Bobbi understudy. I’d rather see her.

Poor Sutton! Those Anything Goes closeups show how jowly she's getting.

Well, that was the wrong link.

r481: We can always go back to "Splatsi" Lupone.

Petty LuPone was always my favorite.

I hear there's a petition somewhere to get Jeanna deWaal to replace Lenk.

Another one for Brits - tomorrow (27th) BBC Four at 7pm is a repeat of the Sondheim Proms from 2010, followed at 9.05 by Sondheim at the BBC:

[quote]A special tribute to Stephen Sondheim, featuring archive footage of performances of his songs by some of the world's biggest stars, taken from BBC shows over the past 60 years. The programme includes clips of Shirley Bassey, Sammy Davis Jr, Michael Ball and Liza Minnelli

Oh, and that's followed by a repeat of a 1990 edition of Omnibus that covered Sondheim when he lectured at Oxford at the same time Sunday in the Park was being staged in London, and then that's followed by a repeat of a 1995 interview with Steve by Jeremy Isaacs

I'm still bummed that the Proms from 2010 didn't feature Cleo Laine and/or Julia McKenzie.

R508 It's one area where Broadway could be much more adventurous to the greater good of everyone. More Sunday night options, more Monday night options, more Thursday matinees. Shorter plays could do Saturday at 5 & 9. New Yorkers like odd show times, and hardcore theatre people from out of town like having the options of another slot when they're here for a long weekend of binging shows.

A few shows tried Thursday matinees several years back but they didn't really catch on. There would have to be at least two big smashes in the group for it to work and probably a commitment of at least six months, advertised well ahead.

Another reason it should come to pass is if actors are really serious about wanting a 5 day workweek instead of 6, it means some version of a 3 double show days (matinee evening) and 2 single days (evening) schedule. The number of performances per week is not going to reduce.

I know this is somewhat crass, but any guesses as to Sondheim's true net worth at his passing? Those unreliable celebrity net worth sites often cite $20 million, but I'd guess he was worth a lot more than that by 2021.

Wait. Jeff Romley worked in the theatre? I thought he was a producer at MTV or something.

I did like Splatsi, but Splatti LuPone scans ,and rhymes) better.

Howsabout Splatsi Murin?

R535 He's done a lot of different stuff, seemed to bounce around from job to job pretty often:

[quote]I come to Bustle as an Account Manager from a fun and varied career path. Over the past several years I have: studied Massage Therapy; worked at CollegeHumor in sales and events; worked for a Broadway/West End theatre producer on several shows including The Producers, Hairspray, Porgy & Bess, Sweeney Todd, and Company; and worked at the William Morris Agency as a theatre talent rep. When I’m not working I’m petting either Addie or Willie (my poodles; they own me). [bold]When I’m off-leash[/bold] I’m either printing photographs, learning to play the guitar, skiing or training for a triathlon.

Ahem. And, let's be honest, that career trajectory - from massage therapy to producer's assistant to agent...well, we're all thinking it.

He was even a director of Randy Rainbow's TV show in 2009 and produced the recent YouTube stuff, which is why I'm guessing Rainbow was allowed to show up on that 90th birthday show.

r536: Completely agree. I'm glad somebody saved that ATC post, as it must have been deleted within minutes.

"She must have eaten some rotten meat..."

Yeah, r534, it's a bit crass. Whatever his net worth, I would imagine that a lot of it will be bequests, endowments, or trusts to various theater or music organizations.

Um. "Off-leash"?

However, points for the semicolon.

Thanks for that, R538. You know what? It could be easy to say Jeff Romley is flitting from, to quote his late husband, "career... to career," but, honestly, that sounds like a very interesting and varied professional background. I've made a good career for myself in marketing and brand management in the same industry for 15+ years, but I'm guessing Romley has more interesting stories to tell.

Also... did he work on THAT production of Porgy & Bess? If so, I wonder if that led for some tension-filled evenings across the dinner table from Steve.

Based on the timing of the other shows, my guess would be it was Trevor Nunn's version in the West End

Addie and Willie for the dogs is a bounce reference

Yep, it was Nunn's version. He was assistant to Richard Frankel, he's listed in the Playbills for John Doyle's Sweeney Todd and Company.

Patti issued a statement that it's a rotovirus, not covid, causing the shutdowns at Company. There have been Covid cases, but those have been covered by the understudies.

Also r227 said Benson was the one who threw up on Elder, but based on Elder's Twitter (and Fitzgerald's wife's response), it seems like Fitzgerald was the other one who was sick that night.

Interesting that Romley says "my dogs." Thought they were very much Sondheim's dogs too.

Patti follows Glenn on Instagram? Noooooo waaaaaay.

R548 He who picks up the dog shit earns the right to call them his own.

Since Patti offered it, I’d like to hear what her toilet has to say.

Her toilet is unable to comment because:

Patti LuPone's Toilet is DEAD TO ME

Patti's toilet hasn't learned the lines we'd like to hear...

Patty's colon was off and rolling.

Patti's rectum was high flying AND adored!

R546 Well, she actually doesn't. She explains that's the reason for absence, but then basically blames the crew for the cancellations, and I'd assume they're not all coming down with food poisoning. Plus, at least for yesterday, if so many crew were off with a rotavirus, why cancel the matinee but say you're going on with the evening performance, only to cancel that, what, two hours before curtain?

Also, Matt Doyle, after the cancellation was announced, was bitching about how the CDC needs to change its guidance, so the cancellations yesterday were obviously covid related.

Also - cast of Company: wash your fucking hands.

Anything Goes - have no idea how long this link will last though

Jeff and Sondheim were together less than 20 years. Jesus, it's like you people know only what has been posted here.

[quote] you'd expect them to try a bit harder than an automated email

What would you like, a personal visit with cookies? Telecharge has thousands of notifications to send 8 times a week these days. It's a pity that, per r509, the emails are "exceptionally cold," but they don't have a choice but for them to be automated to ticket holders.

Yeah that's confusing bc Clay has been open on his Insta about having COVID ??

Though I live within a somewhat easily traveled radius, La LuPone’s imagery and tone don’t sit well with me.

A cancelled show is not a tragedy. But I spent more money on train tickets and hotel because it is the week after Christmas. Now I will need to plan a separate trip, pay more for tickets and hope this doesn’t happen again. As a former actor and occasional understudy, I feel for the actors. But perhaps a thank you to the audiences for their patience and commitment?

When you get as big as Patti, the audience members are merely there to worship you, so you never need to apologize to them.

R557, was that shot to be broadcast somewhere??

Really, r558? And what do *you* know?

(so maybe 15 years. they were together in the aughts)

[quote]Also, Matt Doyle, after the cancellation was announced, was bitching about how the CDC needs to change its guidance, so the cancellations yesterday were obviously covid related.

Could you elaborate on this? What exactly was he saying?

R559 Oh, I don't know, how about something like a phone call. But what a ridiculous idea, it's not like they have a staffed call centre operating seven days a week or anything. It's not like this is a new situation anymore, they should have something better sorted by now which isn't going to add to ticket-buyer's anger.

R565 I was going to get you a screenshot but he's deleted his IG account, so guessing he got some replies he didn't like. It was something like "The CDC needs to change their guidance for the vaxxed and boosted". Or maybe it was 'tested and boosted'. It wasn't anything detailed, it was just a one sentence thing.

R563 A cinema broadcast next year, apparently

Not sure about Cinema broadcasts, but that London production of Anything Goes aired on BBC TV and is on demand on their digital channels.

I'm just going off what it says in the description of the video. It had a UK cinema broadcast earlier this year, then the BBC and apparently an international broadcast in 2022. The way things are going it may be the only way to see Sutton perform.

R566, thank you.

"Also - cast of Company: wash your fucking hands."

And rinse between rimmings.

Patti LuPone’s Toilet should be in the next thread title which is coming soon.

Is a new DL icon born?

On it

What's next...Bernadette's Bidet?

The Marianne Elliot Memorial Toilet to go with the Andrew Lloyd Webber Memorial Pool?

Or maybe Katrina Lenk is more fitting, given her performance

Donna's Dumper

Has Andrew’s Septic Tank released a statement yet?

That's no way to talk about Tim Rice

"Six" cancels performances through Thursday.

Thanks to r557 who posted the video of the London ANYTHING GOES which I watched this morning and saved myself the bucks and the effort to watch it if it later shows up in the US in any form.

What can I say? It's just a big old bore with an unattractive mediocre, if efficient, cast including Sutton Foster. After watching the first hour or so I found myself skipping over the many excruciatingly unfunny book scenes to get to the musical numbers. Then fast forwarding through the numbers which all go on way too long. There's just no magic, no charisma, no chemistry between performers on that stage. Perfunctory would be the perfect adjective. Or depressing.

Kathleen Marshall

Is it the unions that prevent these shows being filmed from US productions?

And especially sad to see the once charming Robert Lindsay as a skeezy unappealing clumsy old man.

Gotta say, too, the piece is just way past its prime. The comedy is forced and the songs have been too overplayed over all these years. I don't think any director or choreographer could make this exciting or even fun again.

And are there NO sexy chorus boys in England??

Let not pretend most of the chorus boys on Broadway aren't paper baggers.

When I lived in London years ago, its seemed like there were a group of really excellent dancers who were in the newest, hottest show in town, because when you went to some of the other long-running musicals, they were definitely almost out of Rouben Mamoulian's film "Applause" -- second-rate (or third) and decidedly down-market. Unlike NY, where there are lots of great dancers and where most shows have worthy replacements among dancers, it seems the best dancers would leave shows after a while and open new shows to show it at its best, but the longer running shows would definitely suffer. Hopefully things have gotten better. Although some of the replacement dancers were very cute, though.

Sutton will forever be a chorus girl who got lucky. Very lucky. Audiences love her and she sells tickets but I just don’t get her appeal.

You don't get plucky?

Does Sutton sell tickets? There are people who are well known and work a lot, but are not the ones who actually sell tickets.

LuPone, Peters sell tickets. Sutton and Victoria Clark (who was a better Sally than Peters) do not.

R583 No, it's the producers not wanting to pay the cast the extra fees.

Patty LaPone does not sell tickets. Not even with former movie star Debra Winger on the bill.

I loved the BBC Anything Goes. Thought Sutton was much better than she was in NY (though that first gold gown was awful on her). Colin Donnell in NY was a better Billy, though. But all in all fun, and the show is always lots of fun. There’s a reason why it shows up every couple of decades (and even more in London!). It’s just a good time, and people love it.

Patti can bring audiences in for the first few months (ie Gypsy) but that’s it. Bernadette kept Dolly running when Bette left and that proves she still sells tickets.

Wasn't Sutton a last minute replacement for London Anything Goes? Wasn't Megan Mullally supposed to do it?

LuPone can absolutely open a show to big box office. What she can’t do is keep a mediocre show (like War Paint) running for more than a handful of months.

R595 yes. Mullally pulled out at the last minute before rehearsals, presumably due to “an injury.”

Now it's time ...

To say ...

Is Mulally done? Or is her Will & Grace success such that theatre makers will still work with her?

She's great in plucky roles, r589. Unfortunately, Reno and Marian aren't...plucky roles.